Antique & Vintage Dress Gallery
www.antiquedress.com
16 IMAGES:
#2090 - c. 1820's RARE Sky Blue
Silk Ballgown with Coral Silk Rouleau Trim! If you are like
me, then going to see "Emma" or "Pride
and Prejudice" has very little to do with the fact that
Jane Austen was an accomplished writer, or the fact that Emma
Thompson, Kate Winslet and Gwyneth Paltrow are great actresses
(although all are true).. no... if you are like me, then you go
so you can sit and watch 2 hours of antique fashions!! You
surreptitiously wipe away the bit of drool from the corners of
your mouth during the ballroom scenes when all the ladies decked
in their finery! Ah.. now that's a great movie! So here
is the Rare, Real Thing! This sky blue silk ballgown dates to
early 1820's with moderately high waist, round low neckline,
almost off-the-shoulders. Padded/wadded triple silk rouleau trim
at skirt bottom. Handstitching (of course). Round, puffed short
sleeves. Broad band at sleeve cuff. Muslin-lined. The gown is in
excellent condition for it's age.. and the fact that the lady
would have danced in it! The silk is lightweight, but strong and
clean throughout -- no shattering. The colors are fresh. This
ballgown has not been altered. The bodice should fasten in back
with two sets of hooks and eyes. At the upper back of the bodice;
the hook is there, but there is 1/4" hole where the eye
would have been. There is another 1/4" hole at the waist eye
as well (though this should be covered with sash). There is some
fading to the blue silk underneath the arms, and there is a small
hole/tear under one arm, near the seam, about the size of half of
a quarter (it's barely seen when displayed. I had to hold up the
sleeve to photograph hole). There is some wear to the coral silk
rouleau, here and there, at the crease of the fabric. In some
small areas, the silk has worn, but the amount of actual wear is
quite minimal! Measures: 30" bust, 22" waist, 55"
long from shoulder to hem, 70" skirt circumference. Please
note, the sash is just a new pink ribbon for show, and doesn't
come with the gown. So... now close your eyes and imagine the
young lady in this gown, in a most fashionable color and style,
gliding across the polished ballroom floor with her "Mr.
Knightly". Ah... the closest you will get to a time machine!
SOLD - but on display in Museum Category for Research/Study
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